Amaroq Therapeutics is a Dunedin-based biotech spun out of the University of Otago focused on developing a new class of therapeutics that target long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in oncology. The team is led by founder and Chief Scientific Officer Dr Sarah Diermeier, a researcher experienced in lncRNA biology, and has one of the world’s most advanced programs in next-generation RNA therapy based on patient data. Amaroq has identified lncRNAs that are highly expressed in cancer cells and shown that removing these molecules can slow cancer cell division. The company is developing therapies initially aimed at breast, colorectal and liver cancers and intends to address high unmet clinical need including resistance to chemotherapeutics and improving survival rates. Financially, Amaroq secured NZ$14m in investment to accelerate development; the financing package also benefits from a Callaghan Innovation repayable grant administered by Brandon Capital. Amaroq is supported by the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) and investors including Brandon Capital, Otago Innovation, Cure Kids and NZ Innovation Booster.

Total raised

$10M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jul 2021